In an extraordinary achievement that underscores the UAE’s commitment to preserving the Arabic language, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, proudly announced the completion of a comprehensive 127-volume historical corpus of the Arabic language. This remarkable project, which spanned seven years, has been hailed as a source of national pride and a beacon for the entire Arab world.
A Seven-Year Journey of Dedication During a ceremony held at the Al Qasimi Publications headquarters, the Sharjah Ruler signed the final volume of the corpus, marking the culmination of years of relentless work by scholars and linguists. Sheikh Sultan praised the efforts of all those involved, acknowledging their dedication to what is now a historical landmark in linguistic scholarship.
Sheikh Sultan took the opportunity to announce that the work doesn’t end here. With great enthusiasm, he revealed that efforts will immediately shift to the creation of the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia, a massive undertaking that aims to catalog every Arabic term in fields ranging from science and literature to the arts. “This encyclopedia will serve as a cornerstone of knowledge for future generations,” he emphasized.
Preserving the Arabic Language for Generations The historical corpus is not merely a record of the language’s past; it’s a vital repository that encompasses the roots of Arabic, ensuring that the language’s rich heritage is safeguarded for generations to come. Sheikh Sultan pointed out that ongoing updates to the corpus would be necessary to reflect the evolving nature of the language, noting, “This is a vessel that preserves all sciences and knowledge, and we take great pride in that.”
The entire corpus will be showcased at the Sharjah International Book Fair this November, making it accessible to researchers, scholars, and educators worldwide both in print and online.
Next Steps: The Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia Work on the Comprehensive Arabic Encyclopedia is set to begin immediately, and according to Sheikh Sultan, it will include all Arabic terms in various domains of knowledge, intentionally excluding foreign and borrowed words. “This is about protecting the integrity of our language while embracing its vast potential in all fields of knowledge,” he explained. The same attention to detail that went into the corpus will be applied to this new project, from meticulous research and recording to final publication.
To conclude the event, the Sharjah Ruler toured the Al Qasimi Publications office, where he was shown original manuscripts of his works, including a handwritten draft of his book Omani-French Relations: 1715-1900, published in 1990.
This momentous announcement signifies not just an achievement, but the start of a new chapter in the preservation and expansion of Arabic knowledge across the world.
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